Compared to the four major states going to polls alongside it, the Union Territory of Puducherry has just about 9.44 lakh voters and a 30-member Assembly. However, the political drama and confabulations there have been no less. Till Friday morning—just three days before the last date of filing nominations on Monday for the April 9 elections—the situation remained fluid, though BJP sources insisted that all was well within the NDA alliance, pointing to Chief Minister N Rangasamy’s statement.

Amid speculation that the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) might exit the NDA alliance, Rangasamy on Friday was quoted as saying that the alliance with the BJP had been sealed and that seat-sharing will be confirmed before the nomination deadline. In other words, Rangasamy—who had earlier signalled that he might exit the NDA and form an alliance with actor Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, or some other party—will continue to lead the NDA alliance in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Monday is the final day for filing nominations in Puducherry, and not just the NDA; apparently, the INDIA bloc is also facing seat-sharing issues.

Following the buzz that Rangasamy was in touch with other parties—including the the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Congress—ally BJP rushed its election in-charge, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, to Puducherry to sort out issues. However, Rangasamy, who was in neighbouring Tamil Nadu visiting temples to seek blessings, had reportedly nominated a team led by Tourism Minister K. Lakshminarayanan to hold the talks.

“Rangasamy had become almost inaccessible despite efforts by the BJP to hold alliance discussions. It was then that Mandaviya was dispatched on Thursday. But the CM being out of the state at such a crucial time indicates that he is bargaining unless all his conditions are met,” sources said.

The fact is, if Rangasamy exits the NDA, it could open several other possibilities. Apparently, the DMK has also been asking him to leave the BJP, and so has the Congress, keeping in mind their past association.

Sources said that Rangasamy wants a firm assurance from the BJP’s top leadership on granting full statehood to Puducherry—his long-pending demand. Rangasamy, who has shared the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to signal unity within the alliance, has consistently been pressing for statehood.

The party is also objecting to the Latchiya Dravida Jananayaga Katchi, led by Charles Martin, son of a lottery baron Santiago Martin, joining the NDA. “LJK is seen as BJP’s ‘B-team’ and given what happened with the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) in Assam—where the BJP replaced it with the BPF—AINRC needs to hedge its options,” sources said.

Meanwhile, according to the seat-sharing agreement, the AINRC would contest 16 seats and the BJP 14 in the 30-member Assembly, which also has a provision for three nominated MLAs.

President Droupadi Murmu, who is in Vrindavan—the city of Lord Krishna—on Friday, immersed herself in the spirit of devotion and spirituality. Her visit saw her not only meeting renowned saints to seek their blessings but also inaugurating significant healthcare projects.

Amid tight security arrangements, the President’s visit served as a tribute to the rich cultural and social heritage of the Braj region.

President Murmu first visited the ashram of the renowned saint Premanand Maharaj. There, she met Maharaj Shri, sought his blessings, and engaged in discussions on various spiritual topics.

The saint provided the President with detailed insights into Braj’s unique devotional traditions, the imperative need for the conservation of the Yamuna River, and various social service initiatives.

Appreciating the contributions of saints, the President remarked that spiritual gurus play a pivotal role in guiding society in a positive direction. At the conclusion of the meeting, Maharaj Shri presented the President with a memento and prasad.

After her spiritual engagements, the President proceeded to the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram Hospital, located on Mathura Road. Here, she received a grand welcome from Governor Anandiben Patel and the ashram’s office-bearers.

The President inaugurated the newly constructed Oncology Block at the facility, which is set to provide enhanced treatment facilities for cancer patients in the region.

During the event, she lauded the role played by missionary organizations in upholding and advancing the nation’s rich traditions of culture and selfless service.

In the next phase of her tour, President Droupadi Murmu visited the world-renowned Neem Karori Baba Ashram. She performed puja at the Hanuman Temple in accordance with traditional rituals and undertook a parikrama of the temple premises.

Subsequently, she paid her respects at the samadhi (memorial shrine) of Neem Karori Baba and took a detailed tour of the museum located within the ashram complex. On behalf of the ashram community, she was presented with Baba’s cherished blanket, a portrait, and prasad.

Throughout the visit, Governor Anandiben Patel, Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Lakshmi Narayan Chaudhary, and Minister-in-charge Sandeep Singh were present, along with senior administrative officials. Strict security arrangements were implemented across Vrindavan in anticipation of the President’s arrival, and immense enthusiasm was witnessed among devotees and local residents alike.

The President will leave for Delhi tomorrow after performing the parikrama of Govardhan.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday met Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah and discussed ways to give a new direction to bilateral ties now that a democratically-elected Tarique Rahman government is in place in Dhaka.

”Met with High Commissioner @hamidullah_riaz of Bangladesh. Our conversation was focused on advancing our bilateral ties,” Jaishankar wrote on X after the brief meeting.

This was the first meeting between Jaishankar and the Bangladesh envoy who took charge in New Delhi in April last year. Hamidullah is expected to meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also to discuss how trade and commercial links between the two countries could be further strengthened.

Sources said Jaishankar expressed India’s desire to normalise bilateral ties after a prolonged period of strain. He was confident that the two countries could put behind them certain unsavoury developments of the past one and a half years.

The Bangladesh envoy is understood to have expressed confidence that there is no room for anyone to question the nature of relationship between the two countries. He was of the view that the ties between the two countries should flourish on the basis of dignity, equality and respect for each other.

He, however, candidly told Jaishankar that there is a perception in Bangladesh that some of the ”ills” in the country when the Sheikh Hasina government was in power were supported by India.

Jaishankar agreed with The Bangladesh envoy’s opinion that the two countries should engage ”steadily and gradually.” There was also a discussion between the two sides on how the two countries could resume cricketing ties.

Meanwhile, sources confirmed that Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilul Rahman will make a brief visit to New Delhi in early April on his way to Mauritius for an Indian Ocean meet. This will be the first visit to India by a minister from Bangladesh after the new government assumed office in Dhaka.

Sources said the two sides are in touch with regard to the visit and there is a possibility of the Bangladeshi minister having some ”important meetings” in New Delhi before proceeding to Mauritius.

Adding further momentum to the national capital’s environment-friendly transportation ecosystem, 300 new electric buses were rolled out from the Indraprastha Bus Depot and dedicated to the public by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

The step is expected to strengthen the city’s push towards green mobility while making travel more convenient by enhancing connectivity at a faster pace.

According to the Chief Minister, more than 2,000 electric buses have been added to the Delhi Transport Corporation’s (DTC) fleet over the past year.

“To make public transport completely emission-free, we will switch the entire DTC fleet to EVs,” CM Gupta noted.

Notably, on the same occasion, Delhi also launched a new inter-state bus service between Nanaksar and Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh). The foundation stone for a new DTC office building was also laid.

Alongside these developments, the EV incentive portal, which had been closed since 2023, has been restarted. Pending subsidies worth ₹24 crore have been disbursed directly to around 12,877 beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

On the occasion, Transport Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh said that the government led by CM Rekha Gupta is continuously working to deliver on all promises made to the citizens of the national capital by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state government.

“Whether it is the induction of new EV buses, revival of inter-state bus services that were earlier discontinued, or several other facilities, the government is making all efforts to deliver on its commitments,” he said.

Taking a dig at the previous regime, Dr. Singh said it had pushed DTC into losses and affected its functioning. However, he added that the present government has initiated steps for its revival and expressed confidence that the department will soon be in a better position.

MLA Tarvinder Singh Marwah and senior officials of the transport department were also present on the occasion.

India is increasingly pivoting towards the United States as an alternative source for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) amid supply disruptions in West Asia, according to a recent note by S&P Global Energy.

The shift comes as ongoing tensions in the region have choked crude oil and gas supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy shipments.

Analysts noted that the global LPG market is currently facing a shortage of cargoes, as disruptions in West Asia, which accounts for nearly 30 per cent of global LPG supply, have squeezed the spot cargo pool and tightened overall availability.

India, which meets around 41 per cent of its LPG demand through domestic production, relies heavily on imports for the remaining requirement.

Traditionally, the Gulf region has been a key supplier, contributing nearly 60 per cent of India’s LPG consumption. However, with supply constraints intensifying, US-origin LPG shipments to India have surged, overtaking volumes from conventional Gulf suppliers.

The disruption has also impacted shipments already en route. Government officials said that about 1.67 million tonnes of crude oil, 3.2 lakh tonnes of LPG, and nearly 2 lakh tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are currently stuck aboard 22 Indian-flagged vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf, awaiting clearance to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the bottleneck, two state-owned very large gas carriers (VLGCs) – Shivalik and Nanda Devi – successfully navigated the passage earlier this week, delivering a combined cargo of over 92,000 metric tonnes of LPG to Indian shores, providing some relief to domestic supplies.

In a strategic move to diversify sourcing, Indian oil marketing companies have secured a term contract for 2.2 million metric tonnes of US-origin LPG for 2026, translating to roughly four VLGC shipments per month. In the first two months of the year alone, India imported nearly 480,000 metric tonnes of LPG from the US, equivalent to around 11 VLGC cargoes.

Recent data highlights the shifting import pattern. India’s weekly LPG imports declined to 265,000 metric tonnes in the week ending March 19, down from 322,000 metric tonnes on March 5. Notably, inflows from West Asia dropped sharply to 89,000 metric tonnes during the period, accounting for just 34 per cent of total imports — the lowest share since January.

In contrast, supplies from alternative regions rose to 176,000 metric tonnes during the same week, up from zero in the previous week, when West Asia accounted for the entire import basket. The evolving supply dynamics underscore India’s efforts to mitigate risks arising from geopolitical disruptions and ensure continuity in energy supplies for its domestic market.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday unveiled a comprehensive set of “10 pledges” for voters in West Bengal, outlining her party’s priorities as the state heads into a crucial assembly election.

‎Addressing the public through a live social media broadcast, Banerjee said she was “placing before the people my 10 ‘Protigya’ for Bengal,” framing the announcement as a direct commitment to citizens. “I am placing my 10 commitments before the people of Bengal,” she said, seeking to connect with voters as campaigning gathers pace.

The pledges focus on expanding existing welfare schemes to increase both coverage and financial support, alongside strengthening public healthcare through improved infrastructure and accessibility.

The Chief Minister also promised greater investment in education, including better facilities in schools and colleges and enhanced support for students.

‎Banerjee highlighted employment generation as a key priority, pledging to boost job creation through industrial growth and skill development programmes. She also committed to continued assistance for farmers, including financial aid and measures aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods.

‎Empowerment of women and youth featured prominently in the agenda, with assurances of targeted schemes and expanded opportunities. Additional promises include upgrading urban infrastructure, widening social security coverage for vulnerable groups, promoting Bengal’s cultural identity, and ensuring transparent and efficient governance.

‎The announcement follows the declaration of election dates by the Election Commission, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest in the state. Banerjee, who has been in office since 2011, is seeking another term amid a strong challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

‎West Bengal has become a key electoral battleground in recent years, with campaigns often centred on welfare delivery and development narratives. Political observers say the “10 Protigya” initiative is aimed at consolidating support among core voter groups while reinforcing the government’s performance record.

‎With the campaign intensifying, Banerjee’s structured set of promises is expected to play a central role in shaping the political discourse, as opposition parties prepare counter-strategies in the run-up to polling.

An Indian national, who was injured in the Iranian strikes in Riyadh on March 18, has died, the government confirmed on Friday. His death takes the number of Indian fatalities in the ongoing US-Israel and Iran war to six.

The Indian embassy in Riyadh confirmed the killing of the sixth Indian national. In a social media post on X, the Embassy expressed its deepest condolences and said that officials were in touch with his family members.

“The Embassy of India expresses its deepest condolences on the tragic demise of an Indian national in Riyadh due to recent events on March 18th. The Embassy is in touch with the family and local authorities. We remain committed to extending all possible assistance in this matter.” the Embassy said.

In a separate Inter-Ministerial press briefing, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Aseem R Mahajan, also confirmed six Indian casualties in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. One person was also reported missing with efforts underway to locate him.

Mahajan said that Indian missions in affected Gulf countries are working closely with authorities to facilitate the return of the deceased to India.

“Six Indian nationals have unfortunately lost their lives, and one is missing in various incidents. Our missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq and UAE are in regular touch with the concerned authorities regarding the missing Indian national and for the early repatriation of mortal remains of the deceased Indian nationals to India,” he said.

Travel situation gradually improving as around 3 lakh nationals return to India

The MEA official further noted that the travel situation from the Gulf region is gradually improving, with around three lakh passengers having already returned to India.

“Situation continues to improve with additional flights operating from the region. Since February 28, around 300,000 passengers have returned from the region to India,” he said.

According to the MEA, airlines from the United Arab Emirates are continuing to operate limited non-scheduled flights depending on operational and safety considerations.

“From the UAE, airlines continue to operate limited non-scheduled flights based on operational and safety considerations. Today, again, around 90 flights are expected to operate from various airports in the UAE to India,” he added.

Flights are also continuing from Oman and Saudi Arabia to India, while the partial reopening of airspace in Qatar has allowed some commercial movement.

“With the Qatar airspace partially open, Qatar Airways is expected to operate 10 non-scheduled commercial flights to India today,” Mahajan said.

He said, “Kuwait airspace remains closed. Airways of Kuwait is expected to commence special non-scheduled commercial flights to various destinations in India from the Al Qaisumah-Hafar Al Batin Airport in Saudi Arabia, with the first flight today to Kochi.”

A 23-year-old student was shot dead in broad daylight inside the campus of Uday Pratap College in Varanasi on Friday, triggering panic among students. The incident took place outside the Arts and Social Sciences Faculty building, where the accused allegedly fired four rounds at the victim, identified as Surya Pratap Singh, a BSc student and a resident of Ghazipur. He collapsed on the spot after being hit by the bullets.

Singh was immediately taken to the trauma centre at Banaras Hindu University, where doctors declared him dead.

The accused has been identified as Manjeet, a second-year BA student and a resident of Chandmari in Varanasi. According to eyewitnesses, the accused also threatened other students at gunpoint before fleeing.

He reportedly discarded the pistol in a garbage heap while escaping. Witnesses claimed that one or two accomplices may have been present.

A fellow student said they initially mistook the gunshots for an explosion. “When we came outside, we saw Manjeet firing. When I tried to intervene, he pointed the gun at me. I had to run. By the time I returned, he had escaped,” the colleague said.

The incident caused chaos on campus, with angry students vandalising property and raising slogans in protest.

Police from multiple stations were deployed, and the campus was turned into a high-security zone.

Authorities sealed the main gate and ordered the closure of more than 150 nearby shops to maintain law and order. A forensic team has begun its investigation.

The motive behind the killing remains unclear, and police are actively searching for the accused and his associates.

As the election season begins in the hills, politics in North Bengal is heating up. New candidates are being introduced, some senior leaders have been sidelined, and tensions are rising across the Darjeeling hills and nearby plains. The announcement of fresh faces has created both excitement and resentment among party workers and supporters.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Bharat Chetri, former Indian hockey captain, Olympian, and Dhyan Chand Award recipient, from the Kalimpong Assembly constituency. He will take on the sitting MLA Ruden Sada Lepcha, who is contesting on a Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) ticket. The BJP is aiming to capture Kalimpong while retaining Darjeeling and Kurseong.

In a significant move, the party has dropped the sitting MLA Neeraj Zimba, a two-time winner from Darjeeling who had originally been elected on a BJP ticket belonging to the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF). The BJP has instead nominated Noman Rai, considered close to Bimal Gurung of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJMM). From Kurseong, the party has fielded social activist and BJP leader Sonam Lama.

Zimba aimed to contest for a third consecutive term to complete a record hat-trick, party sources said.

The announcement of new faces has triggered strong reactions within the party’s hill unit. Several senior leaders expressed shock, with former district president Manoj Dewan issuing a 48-hour ultimatum demanding reconsideration and threatening mass resignation. However, a Kalimpong-based political observer, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the backlash as a “temporary emotional outburst,” predicting that most workers would eventually rally behind the candidates. “The people of Kalimpong remain neutral for now and will deliver their verdict on polling day,” the observer said.

Political analysts believe Darjeeling MP Raju Bista will play a crucial role in reconciling dissent and consolidating support for the party in the hills.

Meanwhile, BGPM chief Anit Thapa, who is also the Chief Executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, has launched an aggressive campaign centred on regional identity, accusing the BJP of failing to address the core issues of the hills. He announced that BGPM candidates Lepcha (Kalimpong) and Amar Lama (Kurseong) will file nominations on 31 March, while Bijay Kumar Rai (Darjeeling) will do so on 1 April.

Signs of internal unrest are not confined to the hills. In Malbazar of Jalpaiguri district, BJP workers vandalised their party office to protest the nomination of Sukra Munda, who had begun his political career as an MLA on an All India Trinamool Congress ticket.

In Malda’s Baishnabnagar constituency, another group of workers protested against the selection of Raju Karmakar, branding him an outsider. The constituency had slipped from the BJP’s grasp in 2021 amid internal discord, though the party won four of the district’s 12 seats that year.

Amid the heated political climate, voters in Siliguri and Jalpaiguri witnessed an unusual moment of civility on Thursday. Ranjan Seal Sharma, the Trinamool Congress candidate for Dabgram-Fulbari, visited the residence of the sitting BJP MLA Shikha Chatterjee, his rival in the constituency, and sought her blessings, addressing her as “Maa.” Chatterjee responded warmly, wishing him well as her “son.” The two had earlier shared cordial ties when both were in the Trinamool Congress.

Sources said Sharma had allegedly supported Chatterjee indirectly when she contested against heavyweight TMC leader and then tourism minister Goutam Deb. This time, Deb himself is contesting from the Siliguri Assembly constituency, while the party has strategically fielded Sharma against Chatterjee.

Sharma’s campaign, however, has faced awkward moments, including pointed questions over alleged links to land scams and criminals. In one incident, he was even chased by a stray cow while canvassing in a marketplace, an episode that quickly became a talking point locally.

In Siliguri, campaigning by major contenders has gathered momentum. BJP MLA Sankar Ghosh, joined morning walkers at dawn and played badminton with children, while Mayor Deb visited a gym, interacting with youth during his workout routine.

With emotions running high, alliances shifting, and campaigns blending drama with symbolism, North Bengal’s electoral theatre has clearly entered an intense opening act—one that promises many more twists before the final verdict.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking action against hate speeches targeting the upper caste Brahmin community.

The petition filed by an individual named Mahalingam Balaji had sought the recognition of hate speech targeting the Brahmin community as a punishable offence, describing the tendency as “Brahmophobia”.

However, a bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan dismissed the plea after briefly hearing Balaji, who appeared before the court in person.

According to Live Law, the petitioner later sought permission to withdraw his plea, which was granted by the Supreme Court.

“The petitioner who has appeared in person has sought permission to withdraw this petition. His submission is placed on record. The writ petition is dismissed as withdrawn,” the final order read.

During the hearing, Justice Nagarathna said that the court doesn’t want hate speech against any community. “It depends on education, intellectual development, tolerance, and patience. Once everyone follows fraternity, automatically there will be no hate speech,” he said.

In his plea, the petitioner had sought the court’s directions to the Centre and state governments to formally recognise hate speeches against the Brahmin community as a punishable form of caste-based discrimination.

Describing the hate speeches against the community as “Brahmophobia”, he sought legal action against those spreading hatred against the community on social media.

He also sought the formation of a high-level commission to “investigate and acknowledge the 1948 Maharashtra Brahmin Genocide and the 1990 Kashmiri Pandit Genocide; and to recommend measures for rehabilitative, economic, and educational support to survivors and their descendants.”

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday met Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta in the presence of Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht, Cabinet Minister Parvesh Verma, and MLA Abhay Verma, ahead of the upcoming budget session.

The CM shared that a meaningful dialogue took place on the upcoming budget session, while various legislative matters related to the national capital’s development were also discussed during the meeting.

Taking to the social media platform X, the Chief Minister assured that her government is committed to presenting a budget that ensures Delhi’s progress and also fulfils the aspirations of the people of the national capital.

Notably, the budget session of the Delhi Assembly is scheduled between March 23 and March 25, as per the Delhi Cabinet’s decision taken earlier. The Economic Survey report will be tabled in the House on March 23, and on the following day, the budget will be presented.

On Thursday, the Speaker said that the legislature is going to roll out ‘Vidhan Sathi’, a dedicated AI-based legislative research and assistance tool, during the upcoming budget session.

According to the CM, the AI-enabled tool will support MLAs with clarity, context, and credible information. Interestingly, the Delhi Assembly is going to be the first legislative body in the country to introduce a dedicated AI-enabled chatbot for its members, developed in alignment with its own procedures and institutional framework.

For the past few days, the CM has been holding consultations with the public representatives coming from various walks of life, sectors including teachers, students, gig workers, businessmen, and traders, to ensure that the budget fulfils the expectations of all the sections of society, promoting growth and development of all.

Earlier, CM Gupta had highlighted that the upcoming budget is likely to have several initiatives for women and girls.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday met Bangladesh High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah and discussed ways to give a new direction to bilateral ties now that a democratically-elected Tarique Rahman government is in place in Dhaka.

”Met with High Commissioner @hamidullah_riaz of Bangladesh. Our conversation was focused on advancing our bilateral ties,” Jaishankar wrote on X after the brief meeting.

This was the first meeting between Jaishankar and the Bangladesh envoy who took charge in New Delhi in April last year. Hamidullah is expected to meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also to discuss how trade and commercial links between the two countries could be further strengthened.

Sources said Jaishankar expressed India’s desire to normalise bilateral ties after a prolonged period of strain. He was confident that the two countries could put behind them certain unsavoury developments of the past one and a half years.

The Bangladesh envoy is understood to have expressed confidence that there is no room for anyone to question the nature of relationship between the two countries. He was of the view that the ties between the two countries should flourish on the basis of dignity, equality and respect for each other.

He, however, candidly told Jaishankar that there is a perception in Bangladesh that some of the ”ills” in the country when the Sheikh Hasina government was in power were supported by India.

Jaishankar agreed with The Bangladesh envoy’s opinion that the two countries should engage ”steadily and gradually.” There was also a discussion between the two sides on how the two countries could resume cricketing ties.

Meanwhile, sources confirmed that Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilul Rahman will make a brief visit to New Delhi in early April on his way to Mauritius for an Indian Ocean meet. This will be the first visit to India by a minister from Bangladesh after the new government assumed office in Dhaka.

Sources said the two sides are in touch with regard to the visit and there is a possibility of the Bangladeshi minister having some ”important meetings” in New Delhi before proceeding to Mauritius.

Iranian attacks have damaged Qatar’s LNG infrastructure worth an estimated $26 billion, putting around $20 billion in annual revenue at risk. The attacks have disrupted nearly 17% of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity. The scale of the crisis has drawn global attention not only to the disruption but also to Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the CEO of QatarEnergy, who has emerged as the central figure leading the response.

As CEO of QatarEnergy and Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Al-Kaabi has become the central voice explaining the fallout from one of the most serious attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure in recent years.

$20B blow to LNG capacity

According to Al-Kaabi, two of Qatar’s 14 LNG trains and one of its two gas-to-liquids facilities were damaged in the strikes. The impact has sidelined approximately 12.8 million tonnes per year of LNG production, with recovery expected to take between three and five years.

The affected infrastructure, estimated to have cost $26 billion to build, forms a critical part of Qatar’s global energy supply network. The disruption alone could translate into roughly $20 billion in lost annual revenue, underscoring the scale of the crisis.

Al-Kaabi expressed shock at the attacks, saying “I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that Qatar would be attacked in this way,” he said, referring to the strikes during the holy month of Ramadan.

His direct communication and visibility have placed him at the heart of the story, transforming what could have been a technical energy disruption into a leadership-driven narrative.

Ripple effects across global energy markets

The damage extends beyond LNG exports. Qatar’s condensate shipments are projected to drop by 24%, while liquefied petroleum gas output could fall by 13%. Helium production may decline by 14%, and both naphtha and sulphur output are expected to decrease by around 6%.

The disruption comes amid escalating tensions in the region, following Israeli strikes on Iranian energy facilities, which were met with retaliatory attacks. The widening conflict has heightened concerns over the stability of global energy supply chains, particularly for key markets in Europe and Asia.

Force majeure risks for global buyers

Al-Kaabi indicated that QatarEnergy may be forced to declare force majeure on long-term LNG contracts for up to five years. Countries including Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China could face supply disruptions as a result.

“These are long-term contracts that we may have to suspend depending on the duration of the disruption,” he said, signalling potential long-term implications for global energy security.

The crisis has also impacted international partners. US energy giant ExxonMobil holds significant stakes in the damaged LNG facilities, including 34% in one train and 30% in another. The disruption is therefore likely to have wider corporate and geopolitical implications.

State-run oil marketing companies in India on Friday hiked the premium petrol prices by up to Rs 2.35 as the raging war in the Middle East deepens the global energy crisis following the tit-for-tat strikes on gas plants by Israel and Iran.

According to news agency ANI, prices of BPCL’s Speed petrol, HPCL’s Power petrol, and IOCL’s high performance variant XP95 have been increased by Rs 2.09–Rs 2.35 per litre.

However, there is no change in the price of regular petrol for now.

The development follows Israel’s strikes on Iran’s South Pars Gas field and retaliatory attacks by Tehran on Qatar’s LNG facilities.

The attacks led to a sharp rise in oil and gas prices on Thursday over fears of a global supply crunch.

Qatar Energy confirmed that Ras Laffan Industrial City suffered significant damage in Iranian retaliatory strikes.

International benchmark Brent crude futures with May delivery rose 6.3% to USD 114.13 per barrel.

Gas prices were also sharply higher. The front-month gas price at the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) hub, a European benchmark for natural gas trading, traded nearly 30% higher at 70.8 euros per megawatt-hour.

UK gas prices also surged on Thursday, sitting at 173p per therm, which is up more than 24 per cent from Wednesday.

Strait of Hormuz route disrupted

The US and Israeli attacks on Iran and the latter’s retaliation paralysed the energy supply route from Qatar, as the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping corridor in the Persian Gulf, has been severely impacted.

Iran had warned that it would target any ships that pass through the Strait of Hormuz, triggering an unprecedented global energy crisis.

However, the Centre had assured assured that petrol and diesel prices would not be hiked unless crude oil prices breach USD 130 per barrel.

In a statement shared by ANI, the government sources had said that the crude prices are expected to be around USD 100 per barrel and reaffirmed that the country has enough stock.

“We expect crude oil prices to be around USD 100 per barrel,” ANI quoted one of the sources as saying. “No problem of shortage of petrol and diesel at any pump in the country.”

Mitchell Starc is set to miss the start of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), joining fellow Australian pacers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood on the sidelines as Cricket Australia adopts a cautious approach with its premier fast bowlers ahead of a demanding international schedule. Meanwhile, Australian allrounder Jack Edwards has been ruled out with a foot injury.

Cummins has not played competitive cricket since the third Ashes Test in Adelaide in December 2025 after sustaining a lumbar bone stress injury in his lower back following the tour of the West Indies. The injury ruled him out of the remainder of the The Ashes as well as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Hazlewood also missed the entire Ashes series due to hamstring and Achilles problems. Starc, on the other hand, featured in all five Ashes Tests and played towards the latter stages of the Big Bash League season. However, Cricket Australia is carefully managing his workload after he bowled more deliveries in Test cricket than any other fast bowler over the past year.

The governing body is keen to protect its key multi-format bowlers with Australia scheduled to play up to 21 Tests over the next 12 months, including demanding tours of South Africa, India and England before defending their title at the next ICC Cricket World Cup in 2027.

Starc, who represents Delhi Capitals, Hazlewood of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Cummins of Sunrisers Hyderabadare all expected to miss the early part of the tournament, leaving their respective teams short of key pace options. In Cummins’ absence, Ishan Kishan will captain Sunrisers Hyderabad.

According to cricket.com.au, the availability of the three fast bowlers will depend on how they progress through their return-to-play programmes in the coming weeks.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will also be without Edwards after the Australian allrounder suffered a foot injury. The 25-year-old had been signed by the franchise for Rs 3 crore at the last IPL auction and was set to make his debut in the tournament. He was also the only uncapped overseas player to be picked during the 2025 auction.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will feature in the opening match of the IPL 2026 season on March 28 in Bengaluru, where they face defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Ellis ruled out of IPL

Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings have also been dealt a setback, with Australian pacer Nathan Ellis ruled out of the tournament after failing to recover in time from a hamstring injury. The development was confirmed by the franchise’s chief executive K. S. Viswanathan during an event in Chennai on Thursday.

Ellis, who has claimed 19 wickets in 17 IPL appearances, had joined CSK for Rs 2 crore at the 2025 mega auction after spending four seasons with Punjab Kings. The franchise had retained him ahead of the 2026 edition.

The 31-year-old had been in impressive form for Australia over the past year and was expected to play an important role in CSK’s bowling attack after the franchise released key pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who will represent Kolkata Knight Riders this season.

Following Ellis’ withdrawal, CSK’s overseas fast-bowling options now include Matt Henry, Jamie Overton and Zak Foulkes. Their Indian pace resources feature Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh and Mukesh Choudhary. Ellis is understood to have suffered a recurrence of the right hamstring injury he had sustained in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.

Several Australian players remain part of IPL squads for the 2026 season, including Travis Head, Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis and Tim David, among the 16 Australians listed across franchises.

Chennai Super Kings will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 in Guwahati. They will then host Punjab Kings on April 3 and Delhi Capitals on April 11 at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, with an away fixture against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru scheduled in Bengaluru on April 5.

CSK endured a difficult campaign last season, finishing at the bottom of the table in IPL 2025 after managing only four wins from 14 matches and becoming the first team to be eliminated from the playoff race.

The spokesperson of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Friday.

According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), Naeini served in several propaganda and public relations roles. In his role as the IRGC’s main propagandist for the past 2 years, he disseminated the regime’s terrorist propaganda to its proxies across the Middle East to influence and advance terror attacks against Israel, stated the IDF.

This marks the latest high-profile casualty among Iran’s top military leadership since the death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, amid escalating US-Israeli operations in the region.

Targeted strikes claim multiple Iranian leaders

The killings follow a series of targeted strikes on Iranian officials. On Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the death of Esmaeil Khatib, Iran’s Minister of Intelligence, who the IDF said had operated against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests of 2022–2023.

Earlier in the week, Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force, were killed in Israeli air strikes on Tuesday. Larijani, 67, a close associate of the late Khamenei and his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, was considered the most senior Iranian leader eliminated since the conflict began 19 days ago. Soleimani had led the Basij internal security force for six years and was seen as a key figure in Iran’s military response.

Iran reaffirm leadership resilience

Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, condemned the “cowardly assassination of my dear colleagues,” saying their deaths “left us heartbroken.” In a post on X, he added that their “path will continue stronger than before,” according to Al Jazeera.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that the political system remains resilient despite the losses. “The political infrastructure of the nation remains a very solid structure and will not suffer a fatal blow to Iran’s leadership,” he had said following the killing of Ali Larijani.

Araghchi added that while individual leaders are influential, the absence of any single figure does not weaken Iran’s governance. Highlighting the earlier death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he remarked, “Despite the immense national loss, the system continued to function.”

Dhurandhar in Pakistan: The drama isn’t just on screen, it’s spilling across borders too! While ‘Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge’ smashes records in India, an entirely different story is playing out in Pakistan… and it’s messy, illegal, and impossible to ignore.

‘Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge’ hit theatres on March 19 and wasted no time rewriting box office history. The film stormed past expectations with a massive ₹102.5 crore opening in India, becoming the biggest Hindi opener ever.

It now sits just behind ‘Pushpa: The Rule’ as the second biggest Indian opener overall.

‘Dhurandhar’ banned in Pakistan… But not really stopped

Just like its first part, ‘Dhurandhar 2’ is officially banned in Pakistan. But here’s the twist, people there are still watching it anyway.

Watching Dhurandhar 2 in Lahore.@AdityaRajKaul #Dhurandhartherevnenge pic.twitter.com/6W1dRKaMRM

— Khalid Mehmood Khalid (@kmkhalid62) March 19, 2026

Pakistani journalist Khalid Mehmood Khalid casually dropped a video on X, revealing he was watching the film in Lahore. His caption reads, “Watching Dhurandhar 2 in Lahore.”

So yes, the ban exists. But clearly, it’s not working.

Piracy Party: Telegram, VPNs & underground streams

This isn’t new for the franchise. When the first film ‘Dhurandhar’ released in December, it was also banned in Pakistan. Still, it reportedly clocked 2 million illegal downloads in just two weeks.

From Telegram channels to shady streaming sites and VPN tricks, viewers found their way in. It even became the most pirated film, beating ‘Raees’.

The black market says hello

New Zealand-based YouTuber Karl Rock took things a step further. In a vlog from Karachi’s infamous Rainbow Centre in Saddar Bazaar, he found pirated copies being sold openly.

Shocking prices? Just Rs 50 for a USB version and around Rs 300 for a DVD. Cheap, illegal, and easily available.

Here’s the ultimate irony. When ‘Dhurandhar’ dropped on Netflix on January 30, it quietly climbed to the No.1 spot in Pakistan.

So even with bans, blocks, and barriers, the film continues to trend, travel, and totally take over.

Also Read: Rakesh Bedi snaps at ‘propaganda’ tag for ‘Dhurandhar’, throws shade at Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’